OUTDOORS: A Central Adirondack getaway

The warm light from the campfire took away the chill of the night air while casting flickering shadows on the surrounding trees. Somewhere from across the moonlight lake came the plaintive call of the loons and in the nearby woods the calls of an owl broke the silence. Kayaks lay beached along the nearby shoreline awaiting the next day’s adventure.

This was the common scene for much of the past two weeks that we spent camping in the Adirondacks. It’s no secret that the Central Adirondacks hold a special place in my heart. Over the years, the areas of Big Moose, Inlet, Eagle Bay and Old Forge have become our favorite get-away. We never tire of the many attractions and the people there.

Despite the often cool and rainy weather we enjoyed many outdoor activities. As always, kayaking on the Moose River is one of our must-do activities. Recent rains had raised the water level but with a little extra caution for water borne debris, there was plenty of opportunity to enjoy the scenery and wildlife including herons and beaver.

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To enjoy canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle service to the North Branch of the Moose River, and the River and Rail excursions, contact Tickner’s Moose River Paddling Trails at (315) 369-6286. They not only supply you with quality equipment, they give great service and excellent advice. They are the best.

Before we left home for the Adirondacks my friend Gary Lee contacted me to tell me that the moose at Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest had been appearing at dawn to feed on water lilies. Of course about the time we arrived he stopped coming, perhaps because a lot of people thoughtlessly launched their kayaks on the pond before he arrived. But after we got home, the moose stated coming again. Maybe he was taking a vacation too.

Dan Tickner has really wanted to see a moose and one day he left his son West in charge of the canoe rentals while he and his wife Beth went to the Moose River Plains to hike into Beaver Lake. Of course about the same time West was dropping some customers and their canoe off at the North Branch of the River near Rondaxe Lake, he saw a nice bull moose standing in the middle of Rondaxe Road.

Meanwhile Dan and Beth were hiking around Beaver Lake and a friend called to say he had seen a moose. When Dan asked where, the friend replied – by your truck! The friend even took a picture of the moose by Dan’s truck in the parking area while he and Beth were hiking down by the lake!

For those who enjoy viewing and photographing water lilies, it has been a disappointing year. Although an occasional moose eating them or people picking them illegally has contributed to the decline, the biggest culprits are the weather and beavers. Cold weather this spring meant the delay of growth while beaver are taking a toll in many locations. Some people may blame deer, but deer don’t swim out to six or eight food depths to feed on lilies. By contrast beavers love to eat them, especially the flowers. In winter they pull them up by the roots and feed on the tubers.

Another species that has suffered from the weather has been loons. High water levels destroyed many nests this spring, although a few have re-nested. Ignorant people who get too close to nests are also a problem. Scaring the loon off the nest means the eggs cool off and fail to hatch or predators, including gulls and crows, swoop down and steal the eggs. A future column will have more about this situation.

During our two week stay we also had a good time visiting with friends. Lots of people from this local area were enjoying themselves up there at the same time. A special time was spending an afternoon at the Dwyer family reunion in Inlet. One of my favorite students from the past, Paula Dwyer Warden, invited us up to spend time with her family and siblings while they spent the week together in the Adirondacks. Of course we have local friends in the area so we others to visit with when we can’t enjoy outdoor activities.

Fishing was only fair. Several other people were having similar luck with bass so far this season. I did manage to catch some nice largemouths on crankbaits and sinking worms. Trout fishing in streams and ponds has been good but make sure to take your Bug Guard or other repellent if you venture into the woods. The black fly season is past but mosquitoes are plentiful and deer flies are even meaner and hungrier than usual.

No matter what your favorite sports, type of accommodations, etc. are, you will probably find them in the Central Adirondacks. Check www.oldforgeny.com or 369-6983 and www.inletny.com or I-866-GO INLET for information and assistance. The area is only a little over an hour away in driving time but it is a world away from the hassle and cares of our daily routines

“I had a deep rock spot in about 11 to 14 feet that I found years ago,” said Golub. “I caught my three biggest fish on it in the morning. I usually catch smallmouth there but for some reason there were largemouth there.”

He caught his big morning fish on a white Blade Runner before moving to the shoreline to catch the rest of his limit by targeting isolated grass, docks and rock with a Dirty Burd Lures Mud Bug to finish his limit.

Included in the top 10 pros were: Matt Martin, Chittenango, seventh $732 and Jamie Hartman, Newport, ninth. Robert Goffredo of Central Square had a five-bass limit bass totaling 17 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to win $2,197 in the co-angler division.

Among the top 10 co-anglers were: Patrick Roy, Marcellus, second $1,098 and Roxanne Przelski, Poland, 10th, five bass, 16-3, $586

Crossbow Banquet: The New York Crossbow Coalition will hold its first annual banquet on July 26 at the Ramada Inn, Buckley Rd, Syracuse. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. There will be raffles, auctions, deluxe buffet and informational presentations. Various ticket packages and sponsorships are available. For more information contact NYCC, PO Box 316, Pulaski, NY 13142 or email rick@nycrossbowcoalition.com.

Clayton Decoy Show: Enjoy Clayton, New York’s 46th Art and Sporting Collectibles Show on July 18 and 19. The event is put on by Thousand Islands Museum and runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Vendors and exhibitors participating include nationally-known carvers, wildlife artists and vintage decoy and sporting collectible dealers.

There will also be a Vintage Decoy contest on Friday at 11 a.m. At noon on Friday, the Art Knapp Singles Contest will take place in the arena. There will be a Guide’s Traditional Shore Dinner available on Friday ($20) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Coyote Moon Vineyards, sponsored by Classic Island Cruises. Proceeds will go to Thousand Island Museum.

Fishing Line Tangles: To reduce the chance of getting nasty tangles, snarls, or “birds nests” of monofilament on your fishing reel, close the bail manually after you cast. Pull any slack out of your line and reel in the line with a little tension, or even running it between your fingers.

About the Author

Outdoor Columnist Leo Maloney has been writing for The Oneida Daily Dispatch since 1976. He is also editor of “Lake Ontario Outdoors” and “Adirondack Outdoors” magazines. A former columnist for “New York Sportsman” magazine, he is a member and past president New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association.
The retired high school history teacher is an inductee in New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. Reach the author at lmalone1@twcny.rr.com
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